Pine quickly introduced Martin Taylor, who jumped onstage a little early. Since the stagecrew wasn't ready for the band, he entertained the audience with a solo version of "I'm Old Fashioned." Here it is:

I supposed you're predestined to play guitar when your named Martin Taylor, since that's the name of two highly regarded luthiers. Taylor made his first appearance in Toronto 25 years ago. This performance was his return engagement. It's been a while. Here's a cut from the full band:

The last act, I suppose, represented "the future." Trombonist Dennis Rollins has been raking in the awards in Britain. The music was certainly fun and dance-ready. Occasional references to "Summertime" and "Work Song" notwithstanding, I would call this a tightly arranged ensemble that combines a panoply of styles, including drum-n-bass, jazz, funk, and garage. Hear what I mean:

January 11, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Meet the Secret Society, Darcy James Argue's "steam punk big band." They've been playing some exciting new music in New York, mostly at the Bowery Poetry Club. Having an indie big band is no lark, but Argue has really been doing something special on a shoestring budget. He's also blogging, and writing some intriguing large ensemble charts. In a matter of days, the Canadian "pick-up" version of the band, Secret Society North, learned the two ASCAP/IAJE commissions, and Darcy's own complex music. Check out one of the songs from last night:

January 11, 2008. Posted by David Tallacksen.

Being a bit of a 'techie' I think I tend to carry more stuff in my pockets than most people- keys (with attached miniature flashlight and flash drive), multiple pens, my wallet and whatever spare change I have. And here's the rub: in the US, small bills go in my wallet, where they are light and easily organized. But in Canada, you get both dollar and two dollar coins as change. Which means you very quickly get a full pocket of change!

January 10, 2008. Posted by David Tallacksen.

Tom McIntosh may not be a household name in jazz, but you undoubtedly know the names of people he wrote and arranged music for- James Moody, Milt Jackson and Dizzy Gillespie, to name a few. Duke Ellington offered him a gig when Billy Strayhorn died, but Tom turned it down, so he could go to LA and write film music. He ended up working on the score to Shaft, among others. Rhonda Hamilton spoke with the newly-inaugurated NEA Jazzmaster: